Jenny McCarthy joins 'The View'

Well, that didn't take long. On Monday, Barbara Walters officially announced that Jenny McCarthy will be a new co-host on "The View."

"We are delighted that Jenny will be joining us as a permanent co-host on 'The View' starting in September," said Walters in a statement. "Jenny brings us intelligence as well as warmth and humor. She can be serious and outrageous. She has connected with our audience and offers a fresh point of view. Jenny will be a great addition to the show as we usher in an exciting new chapter for 'The View.'"

Fans of "The View" should have a good idea of what to expect from McCarthy. The comedian-actress has made 17 appearances on the daytime gabfest, including eight as a guest co-host. For months the media has speculated that McCarthy is likely to fill a vacancy on the show.

FILE - This Feb. 4, 2013 file photo shows American comedian, actress, and author Jenny McCarthy posing for a portrait, in New York. The actress and former Playboy playmate was named Monday, July 15, to join the panel of the ABC weekday talk show "The View." Barbara Walters, who created The View in 1997 and has since served as a co-host, made the widely expected announcement on the air. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File)
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Victoria Will
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"I'm beyond thrilled to be joining Barbara and the other amazing women at the table," said McCarthy, who recently hosted an eponymous VH1 late-night talk show. "I look forward to helping make hot topics a little bit hotter, and showing my mom that my interrupting skills have finally paid off."

McCarthy will come aboard a show that is undergoing a number of changes. Before Elisabeth Hasselbeck departed last week, Walters announced her retirement from TV next year. Joy Behar has also said that she's planning to exit after this season.

A former Playboy Playmate, McCarthy made her first impression on TV as the goofy host of MTV's dating show, "Singled Out." She went on to host a sketch comedy show for MTV and headlined a short-lived NBC sitcom.

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In recent years, she has appeared as a guest star on several sitcoms and hosted a VH1 talk show.

McCarthy will begin her gig on "The View" when the show launches its 17th season on Sept. 9.